Control line protector

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a control line protector including a matrix having at least one bumper and at least one receptacle. Further disclosed herein is a method for protecting a bare control line by positioning a protector having a matrix at least one bumper and at least one receptacle configured to accept the control line.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of an earlier filing datefrom U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/464,818 filed Apr. 23,2003, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In the hydrocarbon exploration and recovery arts, control lineshave long been an important component of successful operations downhole.These may be hydraulic, electrical, fiber, etc. Control lines are neededto communicate with devices positioned downhole and therefore remotefrom a surface location at which personnel may be stationed.

[0003] Because of the harsh downhole conditions, including chemical andmechanical stress, among others, protection of control lines isdesirable.

[0004] To this end, the industry has produced tubing encapsulatedconductors (TEC) which configures an electrical or other conductor,inside a tube of usually {fraction (1/4)} inch diameter. TEC line isvery effective but unfortunately still suffers from stresses in thedownhole environment.

[0005] In order to improve longevity, the industry has created what iscommercially known as a “flat pack”. A flat pack is matrix of material,usually a polymer, into which is embedded a control line and cables forcrush resistance. The control line is completely encapsulated which isbeneficial but the concept suffers in application due to the need atcertain downhole tools to strip off the flat pack in order to pass thecontrol line through the device. A packer is one such device. The resultof a pass through is an exposed control line for a length which may bequite extended. The exposed length of control line is subject to allstress factors. This has been avoided by using many splices in the line(i.e., no real feed-throughs, just breaks and splices at devices). Therehas been, however, no practical solution to the problem.

SUMMARY

[0006] Disclosed herein is a control line protector including a matrixhaving at least one bumper and at least one receptacle.

[0007] Further disclosed herein is a method for protecting a barecontrol line by positioning a protector having a matrix at least onebumper and at least one receptacle configured to accept the controlline.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are numberedalike in the several figures:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional representation of a first embodimentof a retrofit protector;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional representation of a second embodimentof a retrofit protector;

[0011]FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional representation of a third embodimentof a retrofit protector;

[0012]FIG. 3B is an elevation view of the protector of FIG. 3A;

[0013]FIGS. 3C-3F are alternate elevation view like 3B but with distinctconstructions of the protector;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional representation of a fourth embodimentof a retrofit protector; and

[0015]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional representation of a fifth embodimentof a retrofit protector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a retrofit protectoris illustrated. The protector 10 comprises a matrix 12, at least onebumper 14 and at least one receptacle 16. The matrix comprises amaterial capable of being formed to a configuration substantially asshown and holding that shape. In addition the matrix comprises amaterial that is resistant to vibration, abrasion, erosion, chemicalsand mechanical compression or tension. In one embodiment the material ispolymeric. Bumper(s) 14 comprise any relatively strong material havingboth tensile and compression resistant characteristics such as steelcable. Since flexibility is also desirable, stranded cable may beindicated for some embodiments. In each of the embodiments illustratedthe matrix and bumpers are similar but the receptacle 16 is distinct.

[0017] Still referring to FIG. 1, receptacle 16 a is configured toextend into a control area 20 of matrix 12 from one side 22 of protector10. In this particular embodiment receptacle opening 24 is of adimension smaller than a control line (not shown) to be housed inreceptacle 16 a to a degree calculated to provide retention of thecontrol line in receptacle 16 a while taking into account deformabilityof matrix 12 such that a control line is “snappable” into receptacle 16a by hand or by suitable equipment, depending upon application. Forexample only, one embodiment employees a receptacle bore 26 of about 6½millimeters whereas the receptacle opening 24 a is about 4 millimeterswide. It should be noted that in this and some of the embodimentsdiscussed below, that receptacle 16 a is offset from a centerline of theprotector 10 in the longer direction depicted. This position reducesinsertion force of the control line and increases protection of thecontrol line by enhancing crush resistance particularly from crushingagainst a casing or open bore wall of a wellbore in which the protectoris run.

[0018] In a second embodiment, referring to FIG. 2, receptacle opening24 b is provided with an angle to ease installation of a control line.The angle is of about 5° to about 25° and reduces the force required toinsert the control line into receptacle 16 b, while still requiringpassage through a smaller dimension area calculated to retain thecontrol line. Depending upon the type of control line being inserted,this system may be helpful in that it will tend to be more gentle on thecontrol line.

[0019] A third embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 3. This embodimentprovides closure of the receptacle opening discussed in the previousembodiments. The embodiment of FIG. 3 includes a living hinge 30 onsurface 32. Surface 32 as illustrated is shown continuous. This isbecause receptacle opening 24 c is configured to overlap itself when theprotector 10 is in the closed position. In order to insert a controlline in protector 10, protector 10 is bent such that surface 32 becomesV-shape to open receptacle opening 24 c, thus allowing a control line tobe installed into receptacle bore 26. Protector 10 is then bent back tostraighten surface 32, and close receptacle opening 24 c around thecontrol line. In such configuration the control line is well protected360° around the line. To illustrate the receptacle opening 24 c, FIG. 3Bis provided which is taken on line 3B-3B in FIG. 3A. Alternateoverlapping structures visible on the 3B view are illustrated in FIGS.3C-3F.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 4, another embodiment of protector 10 isillustrated. In this embodiment receptacle 16 d is simply U-shaped andcut into surface 22. In this embodiment the retention of the controlline may be provided by an adherent such as a thermo fixed glue or anepoxy formulation or other glue applied to the receptacle before orafter installation of the control line. Alternatively a polymer or othertype of stick tape is similarly employable. It is also contemplated thatmechanical compression against the control line occasioned by theprotector 10 being clamped to a tubular with the receptacle openingtoward the tubular and the clamp positioned perimetrically around bothto clamp the protector to the tubular. Due to the curved outside surfaceof the tubular, the protector is urged into an arcuate condition whenconsidered in cross-section. Because of the arcuate condition the sidesof the receptacle opening are urged toward each other effectivelypinching the control line in place. It will also be appreciated thateach of the foregoing methods for retention may be combined in whole orin part.

[0021] Finally, referring to FIG. 5, a receptacle 16 e is fully enclosedto both of side 22 and side 32 of protector 10. In this embodiment, bore26 e is in fact a closed bore through the center area of a matrix 12. Inthis embodiment the control line 26 is fed through receptacle bore 26 efrom one end.

[0022] In each of the embodiments illustrated herein a control line,which by prior art means would have to be left exposed in the wellbore,or could be protected by an excess number of splices can be effectivelyprotected without the drawbacks inherent in the prior art.

[0023] While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, various modifications and substitutions may be made theretowithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has beendescribed by way of illustration and not limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A control line protector comprising: a matrix; atleast one bumper; and at least one receptacle dimensioned and configuredto receive a separate control line.
 2. A control line protector asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said receptacle includes a receptacleopening.
 3. A control line protector as claimed in claim 2 wherein saidopening is of a dimension less than said receptacle.
 4. A control lineprotector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said matrix includes a livinghinge.
 5. A control line protector as claimed in claim 4 wherein saidreceptacle includes a receptacle opening having an overlappingconfiguration when closed.
 6. A control line protector as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said receptacle is offset relative to a centerline ofsaid matrix.
 7. A control line protector as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid matrix is polymeric.
 8. A control line protector as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said at least one bumper is a cable.
 9. A control lineprotector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said receptacle includes anadherent.
 10. A control line protector as claimed in claim 9 whereinsaid adherent is a thermo fixed flue, an epoxy formulation andcombinations including at least one of the foregoing.
 11. A method forprotecting a bare control line comprising: positioning the control lineprotector of claim 1 around an exposed control line.
 12. A method forprotecting a bare control line as claimed in claim 11 wherein saidpositioning is snapping said protector on said control line.
 13. Amethod for protecting a bare control line as claimed in claim 11 whereinsaid positioning comprises: bending said protector to open thereceptacle opening; inserting said control line in said protector; andreleasing said protector.
 14. A method for protecting a bare controlline as claimed in claim 13 wherein said releasing includes urging saidprotector in a direction to close the receptacle opening.
 15. A methodfor protecting a bare control line as claimed in claim 11 wherein saidpositioning is feeding the control line into the receptacle in theprotector.
 16. A method for protecting a bare control line as claimed inclaim 11 wherein said method further includes clamping said protector toa tubular structure.
 17. A method for protecting a bare control line asclaimed in claim 16 wherein said protector is oriented to position thereceptacle opening adjacent the tubular structure.
 18. A method forprotecting a bare control line as claimed in claim 17 wherein saidmethod includes pinching said control line in said receptacle.